By Nur Ashikin Louis
DARO, Oct 23: First-time incumbents of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) are most likely to be retained to contest in the 15th General Election (GE15).
This is based on the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s remark during the Leaders with Community Programme held in Daro today.
“In PBB, we train our leaders and put them in their federal and State constituencies to learn the ‘ins and outs’ of managing their respective areas.
“For this area, we are lucky that we have young MPs who serve for one term.
“Usually, PBB will give way for them to at least serve for two terms,” he said at the event.
Under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), PBB traditionally contests in 14 federal seats, namely Santubong, Petra Jaya, Kota Samarahan, Puncak Borneo, Batang Sadong, Batang Lupar, Betong, Tanjong Manis, Igan, Mukah, Kapit, Sibuti, Limbang, and Lawas.
As we narrow the list down, the first-time incumbents are Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat (Betong), Yusuf Abd Wahab (Tanjong Manis), Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (Igan), Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib (Mukah), and Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Sibuti).
Meanwhile, Puncak Borneo incumbent Datuk Willie Mongin is a special case because although he is also a first-time MP, he wasn’t a PBB member until recently.
At the same time, Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman and PBB president, noted that the ‘beduk’ (drum) had been sounded, referring to the announcement of GE15.
“Thus, whoever the candidate being fielded by GPS is in this area, do give strong support to that person because he or she is carrying the flag of GPS in this area,” he added. — DayakDaily
